BREAKING: Residents Protest Bandit Attacks In Katsina Community, Police Target Organisers, Launch House-To-House Arrests

Residents of Bakori Local Government Area in Katsina State staged a peaceful protest over the weekend in response to ongoing deadly attacks by armed bandits on villages within the area. 

The demonstrators, made up largely of concerned locals, were demanding urgent intervention from authorities as the frequent attacks have led to multiple deaths, injuries, and kidnappings.

Sources in the community told our SaharaReporters that although the protest was peaceful, with no casualties or destruction of property, police have since launched a crackdown, reportedly going from house to house to arrest participants and perceived organisers of the demonstration.

Among those targeted is a popular social media personality in the area, identified as Anas Muhammad Game. It was gathered that police officers stormed his residence but met his absence. Instead, they arrested his younger brother, who was later released.

Residents say Anas is now being sought by security operatives, a development that has raised fears of intimidation and suppression of free speech in the community.

One of the residents said, "So there was a peaceful protest and later the police were going from house to house to arrest the protesters, now they are trying to arrest the popular social media guy in the local government, one 'Anas Muhammad Game.'

"The police went to his house and arrested his younger brother but they later released the brother. So the guy is now in trouble as the police are trying to arrest him. Besides, during the protest, there was no loss of life and no casualty. No property destruction was recorded."

“We are calling on human rights organisations, the media, and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene. We protested peacefully because we are tired of the killings and kidnappings. Now the police are turning against us instead of protecting us,” another community member said.

Efforts to reach the Katsina State Police Command for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.